According to Dr. Jill Helms, a professor of surgery at Stanford University, “the goal of regenerative medicine is, borrowing from the Foo Fighters, to Erase/Replace. This new field of medicine is predicated on the biology of stem cells, which hold enormous potential to shape the future of medicine. The impact of stem cells doesn’t stop there: Their use has ignited ethical debates, created schisms, and impacted the geopolitical landscape in ways that few people could have imagined.”

Dr. Helms appears tonight (Tuesday, 8/10) at Cafe Scientifique at SRI Menlo Park. Doors to the auditorium open at 5:15; the program begins at 6:00 pm. Directions are available here.

“In 45 minutes I’ll endeavor to take you on a tour of sorts, to discover what a stem cell is, the fundamental distinctions between embryonic and adult stem cells, and what constitute realistic goals for the use of stem cells to treat human diseases and disorders,” she explains. “At the end, I hope the audience will understand why stem cell biologists think that regenerative medicine may well be the most important scientific advancement of our lifetimes”.

Dr. Helms’ lab research is focused on craniofacial development/morphogenesis and regenerative medicine. Prior to Stanford, she spent eight years at UCSF, where she was the Director of the Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery.

Café Scientifique events are free and open to all; no reservations are necessary. Coffee, tea and biscotti will be complimentary, provided by SRI; bring your own mug if you wish to avoid using disposable cups. There will be a drawing for a $30 gift card for books or merchandise at Kepler’s on El Camino Real in Menlo Park.